Tokelau Platinum Wedding Anniversary

New Zealand Post has created this special commemorative stamp issue to celebrate Tokelau’s Head of State, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip’s platinum wedding anniversary. Over their 70 years together they have achieved many remarkable milestones, of which family feature prominently. These photos capture some of those magical moments, with a traditional Tokelauan pattern creating a link back to the island nation.

Issue information

The three atolls of Tokelau became a British protectorate in 1877, at which time Queen Victoria was the reigning Monarch. For the past 65 years Queen Elizabeth II has been the island’s Head of State.

It is estimated that Tokelau was first settled around 1,000 years ago. Oral history is able to trace back several hundreds of years, many traditions and family lineage. For a time, the three atolls of Tokelau functioned relatively independent of each other. Each had a different tribe, a different chief and belief variations, this occasionally led to battles between the atolls.

Ongoing contact with Europeans led to some significant changes on the island. A wider array of food was added to the local’s diet, and new materials, information and ways of living were introduced to their everyday life. The missionaries introduced Christianity to the three atolls, a practise that was quickly adopted by the locals and is still just as strong today.

In 1877 Tokelau was taken into the protection of Great Britain, a status that was formally acknowledged in 1889. In 1926, Britain handed over protection of Tokelau to New Zealand. In 1949, it was declared a part of New Zealand, making all of its residents New Zealand citizens.

Individual Stamps

45c Engagement

This photo was taken in May 1947, shortly before the royal couple formally announced their engagement to the world.

$1.40 Family

A family snap of the royals at their home in Buckingham Palace, taken in 1972, show Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip with their four children.

$2.00 Touring the Pacific

In February 1977, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip made a royal visit to Fiji. A moment of happiness was caught when this snap was taken of the royals.

$3.00 Three generations

Three generations of royals are captured in this photo taken in 2003. The family was at Clarence House for a dinner to mark the Queens 50th anniversary of her coronation.

First Day Cover

This photo was taken shortly after the then Princess Elizabeth and Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, had completed their wedding nuptials. The couple were married in Westminster Abbey on Thursday 20 November 1947.

Miniature Sheet First Day Cover

The royal couple attended a Thanksgiving service at St Paul’s cathedral in 2006. The service was also held in honour of the Queens 80th birthday.

Technical information

Date of issue:

20 November 2017

Number of stamps:

Four gummed stamps

Denominations:

45c, $1.40, $2.00 & $3.00

Stamps, miniature sheet and first day covers designed by:

Jonathan Gray, New Zealand Post, Wellington, New Zealand

Printer and process:

Collectables and Solutions Centre, New Zealand Post, Whanganui, New Zealand

Number of colours:

Four process colours

Stamp size and format:

40mm x 30mm (vertical)

Paper type:

Tullis Russell 104gsm red phosphor gummed stamp paper

Number of stamps per sheet:

16

Perforation gauge:

13.33

Period of sale:

Unless stocks are exhausted earlier, these stamps will remain on sale until 19 November 2018.